Illuminated cooler

ABSTRACT

An electrically illuminated cooler having a temperature insulated general storage chamber and at least one illumination source. The illumination source may comprise a single lighting element such as for example a light emitting diode, which may flash, or a plurality of lighting elements which may be directed to different areas, which may be of different colors, and which may be independently controlled. The cooler may comprise circuitry including switches, flasher, and power storage such as battery cells. The cooler may comprise a fold out tray which itself may be illuminated by the illumination source, or may alternatively or in addition may be internally illuminated. The cover of the cooler may have a compartment which communicates with the general storage chamber but which stores articles out of contact with contents of the general storage chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/164,311 filed Mar. 27, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to insulated containers of the type popularly known as coolers, and more particularly to a cooler featuring built-in illumination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coolers have become popular devices for storing and carrying foods, beverages, and other substances which must be maintained at temperatures which may be below ambient temperatures. One widespread use for coolers is to contain foods and beverages for outdoor activities such as picnics and camping. Such activities may last into the night. When daylight fades, visibility becomes a problem which affects both retrieval of objects from coolers and also performing tasks which may be either related or unrelated to objects retrieved from coolers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above stated problems by providing illumination within portable coolers. Illumination may be provided for revealing contents of the cooler, which may include contents supported on trays and the like which may be part of a cooler, and also for illuminating the immediate vicinity of the cooler. At night, it may become difficult to identify contents of a cooler, such as discriminating among different types of beverage cans. As regards the immediate vicinity of the cooler, illumination in dark conditions, such as at night, may solve a problem which may exist in darkened surroundings such as the interiors of wheeled vehicles, buildings, and tunnels, among others, which may not be provided with sufficient illumination to discern contents of a cooler.

Also, tasks which may or may not be related to a cooler may be aided by supplementary light sources provided by the cooler. For example, bait stored for fishing activities may require preparation and mounting on fishing hooks. It would be highly convenient to have illumination for a cooler used for fishing purposes, so that selection, cutting, mounting of bait and related tasks may be conducted under conditions of ambient darkness in close proximity to the stored bait.

Further uses for illumination of coolers include identification and location of the user. Lighting may be used to identify a particular cooler or the location of the cooler and the person using that cooler.

In still another use, lighting may pertain to personal expression. Illumination may express personal sentiments such as affiliations with organizations. For example, a cooler brought to the scene of a sports event may be caused to emit light of colors associated with one of the teams performing in the event.

The present invention provides implementation of at least one purpose for illumination capability in a portable cooler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illuminated cooler according to at least one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1, but taken from the opposite side, and shown with a tray extending from the illuminated cooler.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a part of a tray such as the tray of FIG. 2, showing a container retention feature which has been omitted from FIG. 2 for clarity of the view.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical circuit which may be provided in an illuminated cooler according to further aspects of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of the tray of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the cooler of FIG. 1, additionally showing lighting elements not shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an illuminated cooler according to another aspect of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical circuit which introduces flashing to at least one light of an illuminated cooler according to at least one further aspect of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical circuit which introduces different colors to at least some lights of an illuminated cooler according to at least one further aspect of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side cross sectional view of an illuminated cooler according to a still further aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 11A-C show a table of reference numerals used in the Detailed description of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an illuminated cooler 100 which may comprise a receptacle 120 having an exterior surface 140, an interior surface 160, and a general storage chamber 180 defined within the interior surface 160. The receptacle 120 may further comprise a lateral wall 200 defining a first open end and an opposed second end. In the position of normal use, and as depicted in FIG. 1, the open end is the upper end, and is open to afford access to contents of the cooler 100. The second end is the lower end, which is closed by a bottom wall 220 which spans at least some sections of the lateral wall 200 so as to substantially close the second or bottom end. A lid or closure 240 may be hinged or otherwise movably secured to the lateral wall 200 so as to removably engage the lateral wall 200 at the first open end.

The receptacle 120 is substantially insulated in any suitable way. As employed herein, the term “insulated” will be understood to mean that any component of the cooler 100 which is described as insulated comprises a constituent material known to retard transmission of heat therethrough, or alternatively, comprises an arrangement of materials known to retard transmission of heat. For example, closed cell polymeric materials used conventionally to insulate coolers, refrigerators, freezers, and the like may serve as insulation material. Examples of materials which themselves may not be insulating in nature but which may be formed or arranged to be insulating include glass, which as a solid may be heat transmissive, but when formed for example as fiberglass becomes insulating in nature. Other substances in fiber form may be regarded as insulating. Another example is polymeric materials which are formed to enclose voids, such as so-called bubble wrap, which comprises sheets of plastic arranged to contain voids or to contain pockets of air or other gasses. Void containing assemblies may be partially evacuated to produce vacuum or partial vacuum. Both insulated and non-insulated portions of the receptacle 120 may comprise a non-pourous, liquid impermeable resin capable of being injection molded for example.

The cooler 100 may comprise a tray 260 which is movable between a stowed position (FIG. 1) and a deployed position (FIG. 2). In the stowed position, the tray 260 may be held compactly to the receptacle 120. As depicted in FIG. 1, the tray 260 may be received within a recess formed within the lateral wall 200 so as to be substantially flush with the lateral wall 200 in the stowed position. In the deployed position, the tray 260 projects from the receptacle 120 so as to present a horizontal support surface.

The cooler 100 may comprise a plurality of wheels 280 which are rotatably fixed thereto and one or more handles 300. The handles 300 may be hinged to swing to an exposed position, as shown in FIG. 2, may be slidably mounted within the cooler to move to a deployed position corresponding to the exposed position shown in FIG. 2, may comprise grips or recesses molded or otherwise formed in the cooler 100, or may be disposed in any other suitable way.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tray 260 may comprise openings 320 for receiving containers such as cups, cans, glasses and the like (none shown). Each opening 320 may be provided with a generally U-shaped wire 340 or the like which may be pivotally mounted in gimbal fashion within the tray 260 to swing down from its associated opening 320 to serve as a floor or equivalent interfering member which prevents a cup, can, or glass from falling through the opening 320 when the tray 260 is in the deployed position of FIG. 2.

The cooler 100 comprises an illumination source which further comprise one or more individual lighting elements. For purposes of description of the present invention, a lighting element is any element having sufficient structure to emit light on its own. Lighting elements may comprise incandescent lamps, neon lamps, fluorescent lamps, light emitting diodes, electric arc electrodes, electroluminescent substances, and others. In any and all of its forms, the illumination source is supportably engaged with the receptacle 120 and is disposed to project light from the receptacle 120. The illumination source may comprise, in addition to at least one lighting element, circuitry disposed to conduct electrical power to each lighting element where the latter is of the type using electrical power, and a switch disposed to control electrical power supplied to at least one lighting element.

An exemplary circuit arrangement for powering and controlling individual lighting elements 360, 380, 400 is described with reference to FIG. 4. It should be understood that the circuit arrangement of FIG. 4 is shown only in representative capacity, and may be modified to accommodate any desired variation. For example, although the three individual lighting elements 360, 380, 400 are shown in FIG. 4, fewer or more lighting elements may be accommodated. Connection logic and switching may be varied from FIG. 4 as desired.

An electrical storage device such as a battery 420 may provide electrical power which is distributed by circuitry 440. As employed herein, the term “circuitry” will be understood to encompass all individual conductors, electrical insulation, connections, and auxiliary devices required to accomplish the described functions regardless of whether such items are explicitly shown or described. Also, the term “battery” is used only in a representative sense and will be understood to encompass single electrochemical cells, plural electrochemical cells, capacitors, supercapacitors, and other electrical storage devices in any combination. It would also be possible to omit an electrical storage device for example by providing a cooler such as the cooler 100 with a plug and cord assembly (not shown) or with a receptacle for receiving an extension cord or the like. The battery 420 and the circuitry 440 may be carried aboard the receptacle 120, for example being supported within the lateral wall 200, the closure 240, and other structure of the receptacle 120 where necessary.

The circuitry 440 may comprise a manual master switch 460 disposed to control all of the lighting elements 360, 380, 400, as well as individual switches 480, 500, 520 arranged to control only one lighting element, such as the lighting elements 360, 380, 400. Switches such as the switches 460, 480, 500, 520 may be located at any convenient exterior location on the receptacle 120. Switches may utilize exposed operators such as toggles, axially moved knobs, rotary dials, or operators which are covered by a liquid resistant switch cover such as an elastomeric sheet and which may be actuated for example by pressing on the liquid resistant sheet. These are known switch control arrangements and need not be further detailed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the illumination source may comprise a tray illuminator 540 which is disposed to project light directly onto the tray 560 so as to illuminate objects (not shown) placed on the tray 560. The tray 560 may be functionally and structurally similar to the tray 260, for example.

Referring also to FIG. 6, the illumination source may also comprise additional lighting elements which may include for example, first lighting elements or receptacle illuminators 580 located on the underside of the closure 240 and which are disposed to project light into the general storage chamber 180. In the absence of contents within the general storage chamber 180, light from the receptacle illuminators 580 would project light against the interior surface 160 of the receptacle 120. A second lighting element may be disposed to project light outside the general storage chamber 180. The second lighting element may be for example the tray illuminator 540, or may comprise an environment illuminator 600 disposed to project light proximate the receptacle 120, near the receptacle 120 yet not directly onto a tray such as the tray 260. The environment illuminator 600 may be focussed such that light projected therefrom, indicated as broken lines 620, passes over the tray 260 to project away from the receptacle 120, thereby illuminating the area proximate the cooler 100.

The circuitry 440 (see FIG. 4) may be modified such that a switch such as one of the switches 480, 500 or 520 may serve as an environmental illuminator switch disposed to control only the environmental illuminator 600.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement wherein a tray 640 is at least partially translucent in a direction extending away from an associated receptacle 660 when the tray 640 is in the deployed position. Other than being translucent, the tray 640 may be for example a structural and functional equivalent of the tray 260. Similarly, the receptacle 660 may be the structural and functional equivalent of the receptacle 120. In the arrangement of FIG. 5, the illumination source may further comprise a tray accent illuminator disposed to project light through the tray 640 in a direction away from the receptacle 660. The tray accent illuminator may comprise one or more lighting elements 680 which are disposed to project light through the tray 640 in a direction away from the receptacle 660, as indicated by broken lines 700.

The circuitry 440 (see FIG. 4) may be modified such that a switch such as one of the switches 480, 500 or 520 may serve as a tray accent illuminator switch disposed to control only the lighting elements 680 of the tray accent illuminator.

FIG. 7 shows a cooler 720 which comprises an illuminator stand 740 which is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the illuminator stand 740 may be held compactly to the receptacle 760. For example, the illuminator stand 740 may be slidably received within the receptacle 760 so that it can be retracted substantially thereinto. The illuminator stand 740, shown in the deployed position in FIG. 7, may have a proximal end which is movably mounted to the receptacle 760. For example, the proximal end, which may bear at lest one lighting element 800, can be manually moved vertically, as indicated by the arrow 780, so as to be movable to project outside the receptacle 760 in the deployed position.

The circuitry 440 (see FIG. 4) may be modified such that a switch such as one of the switches 480, 500 or 520 may serve as an illuminator stand switch disposed to control only the lighting element 800 of the illuminator stand 740.

FIG. 8 shows an arrangement wherein a flasher 820 has been incorporated into circuitry 840 serving lighting elements 860 which may be incorporated into a cooler (not shown) such as the cooler 100. Each lighting element 860 may be controlled by an individually dedicated set 880 of normally open contacts which may be integral with or controlled by the flasher 820. The flasher 820 may be an electronic relay or any other device or devices which individually or collectively cause the circuitry 840 to provide power to and illuminate the lighting elements 860 automatically and intermittently.

The flasher 820 may comprise a manual controller 900 which initiates and terminates flashing of the lighting elements 860. The manual controller 900 may comprise a switch for manually switching power to the flasher 820, or may be an indirect controller such as a keypad where for example the flasher 820 comprises a programmable or programmed controller. A programmable controller will be understood to comprise a controller wherein the output or control sequence produced thereby may be arranged for subsequent implementation by a person using the programmable controller. A programmed controller will be understood to comprise a predetermined output or control sequence which may be initiated but not modified by a person using the programmed controller.

As employed herein, terms such as “flasher” and “flashing” do not necessarily imply a regular sequence. Both the time interval during which any light or lamp such as the lighting elements 860 may be illuminated and the time interval during which any light or lamp may be extinguished may be varied according to a regular sequence or an irregular sequence. For example, where many lamps are provided, certain lamps may be selectively illuminated to form letters, symbols and words. Words and other illuminated entities may be subjected to selective illumination and extinguishing such that, for example, the word or other illuminated entities appear to travel along the matrix of lamps. This may be referred to as a scrolling message (not shown). Programmed and programmable controllers for producing scrolling messages are known. The lighting elements 860 may be illuminated in tandem or may be staggered.

The circuitry 840 may be integrated with circuitry such as the circuitry 440 of FIG. 4.

The circuitry 840 may be modified to include a master switch 920 arranged to control power to the flasher 820 and lighting elements 860 flashably controlled thereby.

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement wherein an illumination source may comprise lighting elements 940, 960, 980, 1000 of different colors, which may be incorporated into a cooler (not shown) such as the cooler 100. Each of the lighting elements 940, 960, 980, 1000 may take one of the colors red, green, blue, and yellow for example. The illumination source of FIG. 9 is disposed to project light selectively of different colors from the receptacle (not shown) of the cooler with which the lighting elements 940, 960, 980, 1000 may be associated.

A lighting actuator 1020 may be disposed to illuminate the lighting elements selectively according to color. The lighting actuator 1020 may be a programmable controller or a programmed controller of the type described with regard to the flasher 820 of FIG. 8 for example. Such a programmable controller or programmed controller may have sets 1040 of normally open contacts which close supply circuitry 1060 to the lighting elements 940, 960, 980, 1000. Of course, manual switches (not shown) may be provided in place of the lighting actuator 1020 to enable a person to illuminate the lighting elements 940, 960, 980, 1000 manually in place of an automated controller such as the flasher 820 if desired.

The circuitry 1060 may be integrated with circuitry such as the circuitry 440 of FIG. 4.

The circuitry 1060 may be modified to include a master switch 1080 arranged to control power to the lighting actuator 1020 and lighting elements 940, 960, 980, 1000.

FIG. 10 shows an illuminated cooler 1100 which may comprise a dry cover storage compartment 1120 for storing articles (not shown) according to a further aspect of the invention. The illuminated cooler 1100 in other respects may be the functional and structural equivalent of an illuminated cooler such as the illuminated cooler 100 of FIG. 1. Therefore, electrical details such as those pertaining to illumination will be omitted from the description of the illuminated cooler 1100, it being understood that any illumination scheme according to the present invention may be incorporated thereinto.

The illuminated cooler 1100 may comprise a receptacle 1140 having a lateral wall 1160 and a closure 1180. The closure 1180 may have a cavity which establishes the dry storage compartment 1120 which is separate from yet in communication with the general storage chamber 1200 of the receptacle 1140. Articles (not shown) contained within the cover storage compartment 1120 may be subjected to temperatures prevailing within the general storage chamber 1200 yet isolated from contact with contents thereof. A cooling influence prevailing within the general storage chamber 1200 may be communicated to the dry storage compartment 1120 through slots 1220, 1240 which may be formed in a door 1260. The door 1260 may be pivotally mounted to a wall 1280 formed in the closure 1180 to define the dry storage compartment 1120. Pivotal mounting may be provided by a hinge 1300 for example such that the door 1260 may pivot or swing as indicated by the arrow 1320. The door 1260 may engage the closure 1180 by frictional engagement of a bump or projection 1340.

The door 1260 may if desired be fully removable from the closure 1180, or may alternatively be mounted to the closure 1180 or open relative to the closure 1180 in ways other than that shown and described herein. It will be appreciated that the dry storage compartment 1120 may be incorporated into the closure such as the closure 1180 of an illuminated cooler according to any aspect of the present invention.

Although discussion herein is generally directed to maintaining foods and other substances at temperatures below ambient temperatures, it will be appreciated that a cooler according to the present invention may be thought of as an insulated receptacle which may be employed if desired to maintain foods and other substances at temperatures above ambient temperatures. 

1. An illuminated cooler comprising: a receptacle having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a general storage chamber defined within the interior surface, further comprising a lateral wall defining a first open end and an opposed second end, a bottom wall spanning at least some sections of the lateral wall so as to substantially close the second end, and a closure which is disposed to removably engage the lateral wall at the first open end, wherein the receptacle is substantially insulated; a tray which is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the tray is held compactly to the receptacle in the stowed position and wherein the tray engages and projects from the receptacle so as to present a horizontal support surface in the deployed position; and an illumination source which is supportably engaged with the receptacle and which is disposed to project light from the receptacle, further comprising at least one lighting element and circuitry disposed to conduct electrical power to each said lighting element and comprising a switch disposed to control electrical power supplied to at least one said lighting element.
 2. The illuminated cooler according to claim 1, wherein the lighting elements comprise light emitting diodes.
 3. The illuminated cooler according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry comprises an electrical storage device carried aboard the receptacle.
 4. The illuminated cooler according to claim 1, wherein the illumination source comprises a tray illuminator which is disposed to project light directly onto the tray so as to illuminate objects placed on the tray.
 5. The illuminated cooler according to claim 1, wherein the tray is at least partially translucent in a direction extending away from the receptacle when the tray is in the deployed position, and wherein the illumination source further comprises a tray accent illuminator disposed to project light through the tray in a direction away from the receptacle.
 6. The illuminated cooler according to claim 1, wherein the tray bears at least one opening which is dimensioned and configured to receive a container, and a generally U-shaped member which is pivotally mounted within the tray and is disposed to pivot within the opening to form a floor which prevents the container from falling through the opening when the tray is in the deployed position.
 7. An illuminated cooler comprising: a receptacle having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a general storage chamber defined within the interior surface, further comprising a lateral wall defining a first open end and an opposed second end, a bottom wall spanning at least some sections of the lateral wall so as to substantially close the second end, and a closure which is disposed to removably engage the lateral wall at the first open end, wherein the receptacle is substantially insulated; an illumination source which is supportably engaged with the receptacle and which is disposed to project light from the receptacle, further comprising at least one first lighting element, at least one second lighting element, and circuitry disposed to conduct electrical power to each said lighting element and comprising at least one switch disposed to control electrical power supplied to at least one said lighting element, wherein the first lighting element is disposed to project light into the general storage chamber, and the second lighting element is disposed to project light outside the general storage chamber.
 8. The illuminated cooler according to claim 7, further comprising a cover storage compartment for storing articles, wherein the cover storage compartment is separate from yet in communication with the general storage chamber, whereby articles contained within the cover storage compartment may be subjected to temperatures prevailing within the general storage chamber yet isolated from contact with contents of the general storage chamber.
 9. The illuminated cooler according to claim 7, wherein the switch comprises a manual master switch disposed to control all of the lighting elements.
 10. The illuminated cooler according to claim 7, wherein the illumination source further comprises a receptacle illuminator disposed to project light against the interior surface of the receptacle.
 11. The illuminated cooler according to claim 7, wherein the switch comprises a liquid resistant switch cover.
 12. An illuminated cooler comprising: a receptacle having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a general storage chamber defined within the interior surface, further comprising a lateral wall defining a first open end and an opposed second end, a bottom wall spanning at least some sections of the lateral wall so as to substantially close the second end, and a closure which is disposed to removably engage the lateral wall at the first open end, wherein the receptacle is substantially insulated; an illumination source which is supportably engaged with the receptacle and which is disposed to project light from the receptacle, further comprising at least one lighting element, and circuitry disposed to conduct electrical power to each said lighting element and comprising a flasher disposed to illuminate the at least one lighting element automatically and intermittently.
 13. The illuminated cooler according to claim 12, wherein the circuitry further comprises a manual controller which initiates and terminates flashing of the lighting elements.
 14. An illuminated cooler comprising: a receptacle having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a general storage chamber defined within the interior surface, further comprising a lateral wall defining a first open end and an opposed second end, a bottom wall spanning at least some sections of the lateral wall so as to substantially close the second end, and a closure which is disposed to removably engage the lateral wall at the first open end, wherein the receptacle is substantially insulated; an illumination source which is supportably engaged with the receptacle and which is disposed to project light selectively of different colors from the receptacle.
 15. The illuminated cooler according to claim 14, further comprising a lighting actuator disposed to illuminate the lighting elements selectively according to color.
 16. An illuminated cooler comprising: a receptacle having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a general storage chamber defined within the interior surface, further comprising a lateral wall defining a first open end and an opposed second end, a bottom wall spanning at least some sections of the lateral wall so as to substantially close the second end, and a closure which is disposed to removably engage the lateral wall at the first open end, wherein the receptacle is substantially insulated; an illumination source which is supportably engaged with the receptacle and which comprises an illuminator stand which is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the illuminator stand has a proximal end movably mounted to the receptacle and a distal end bearing at least one lighting element.
 17. The illuminated cooler according to claim 16, wherein the circuitry comprises an illuminator stand switch disposed to control only the environmental illuminator. 